Southern-Style Chicken Fried Chicken Made Easy
Juicy, breaded chicken breasts, pan-fried and topped with country gravy—Chicken Fried Chicken is the ultimate southern comfort food.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded thin)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Gravy:
- 2 tbsp butter or pan drippings
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 ½ cups milk
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
Prep the Chicken:
- Pound the chicken breasts to about ½ inch thick for even cooking.In a bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg, and hot sauce. Add chicken and marinate for 10 minutes (or up to overnight).
Prepare the Breading:
- Combine the flour with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish.
Dredge the Chicken:
- Take the chicken out of the buttermilk, allow the extra to drip off, and cover it uniformly with seasoned flour. For a thick coating, apply gentle pressure.
Fry the Chicken:
- In a large skillet, heat oil to medium temperature (approximately 350°F/175°C). Fry each piece for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, until it turns golden brown and the internal temperature is 165°F (74°C). Let it drain on paper towels.
Make the Gravy:
- In the same frying pan, either melt some butter or use 2 tbsp of the drippings from the cooking process. Stir in flour with a whisk and prepare for 1–2 minutes. While you keep whisking, add the milk gradually. Prepare until it has thickened. Add salt and a generous amount of black pepper to the seasoning.
Serve:
- Warm gravy should be added on top of the fried chicken. Serve alongside mashed potatoes, biscuits, or veggies.
Notes
- Before frying, allow the breaded chicken to rest for 5 minutes; this helps the coating adhere better.
- To achieve perfectly cooked chicken, utilize a meat thermometer.
- Buttermilk contributes to tenderness and flavor. If you cannot find it, use milk with 1 tsp of vinegar.